Gregg Rosenthal

Free Agency Dose

Top 75 Free Agents

A record number of franchise tags thinned this year’s top-75 list considerably. Some key re-signings also took big names off the market. Not to worry This happens every season. Most guys make it to free agency because their teams don’t truly want them.

There are exceptions to that rule. And those exceptions will make a ridiculous amount of money in the next week. With final cuts now over, here are Rotoworld’s Top 75 free agents.

The excitement officially kicks off at 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday. We’ll have you covered on our player news page all week.

2. Peyton Manning, Colts QB: If there’s even a 50% chance he’s the old Manning, he will be worth the risk. I’m also looking forward to when all the losers in the Manning derby have to cover their ass. New contracts for everyone!

3. Cortland Finnegan, Titans CB: Finnegan is the guy you hate to play against, but love having on your side.

4. Vincent Jackson, Chargers WR: A rare No. 1 receiver that has the tools to succeed in any scheme.

11. Ben Grubbs, Ravens G: Plug him into your starting lineup for the next 3-4 years.

12. Red Bryant, Seahawks DL: The more you watch him play, the more there is to like. (UPDATE: Re-signed on a five-year deal.)

13. Brodrick Bunkley, Broncos DT: Based just on 2011 game tape, you could argue Bunkley belongs in the “difference maker” category.

14. Tracy Porter, Saints CB: Everyone seems to forget how strong Porter can perform at his best. Highly experienced, talented young cover guys are not easy to find.

15. Stephen Tulloch, Lions LB: I’ve been a big fan of Tulloch for a few years. He’s one of the most underrated, versatile inside linebackers in football and he’s shown he can perform on multiple teams.

16. Brandon Lloyd, Rams WR: He’s not a true No. 1 receiver. He wouldn’t have to be if he lands in New England.

17. Marques Colston, Saints WR: The heart of a champion with the knees of a 40-year-old. I’d worry about Colston away from Drew Brees. (UPDATE: Re-signed with Saints on five-year contract.)

18. Curtis Lofton, Falcons LB: A sure tackler with leadership ability, but not a huge difference maker for what he’ll cost.

19. Jared Gaither, Chargers T: Extremely talented left tackle that hasn’t stayed healthy or reliable for very long. Perhaps the best boom or bust free agent out there.

Taking a shot

Some of these guys will cost too much for the risk.

20. Jason Jones, Titans DL: He’s the right age (26) and he’s flashed at various points in his career. He could be a great pickup in the right system.

21. LaRon Landry, Redskins S: All sorts of talent, but Landry is undisciplined and injury prone.

22.Mario Manningham, Giants WR: I almost wrote “Bucs WR” that connection has been mentioned so often. Manningham has a lot of talent but makes way too many mental errors.

32. Evan Mathis, Eagles G: ProFootballFocus couldn’t have a man crush this big on a guy for no reason.

Welcome to free agency 2012.

A record number of franchise tags thinned this year’s top-75 list considerably. Some key re-signings also took big names off the market. Not to worry This happens every season. Most guys make it to free agency because their teams don’t truly want them.

There are exceptions to that rule. And those exceptions will make a ridiculous amount of money in the next week. With final cuts now over, here are Rotoworld’s Top 75 free agents.

The excitement officially kicks off at 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday. We’ll have you covered on our player news page all week.

2. Peyton Manning, Colts QB: If there’s even a 50% chance he’s the old Manning, he will be worth the risk. I’m also looking forward to when all the losers in the Manning derby have to cover their ass. New contracts for everyone!

3. Cortland Finnegan, Titans CB: Finnegan is the guy you hate to play against, but love having on your side.

4. Vincent Jackson, Chargers WR: A rare No. 1 receiver that has the tools to succeed in any scheme.

11. Ben Grubbs, Ravens G: Plug him into your starting lineup for the next 3-4 years.

12. Red Bryant, Seahawks DL: The more you watch him play, the more there is to like. (UPDATE: Re-signed on a five-year deal.)

13. Brodrick Bunkley, Broncos DT: Based just on 2011 game tape, you could argue Bunkley belongs in the “difference maker” category.

14. Tracy Porter, Saints CB: Everyone seems to forget how strong Porter can perform at his best. Highly experienced, talented young cover guys are not easy to find.

15. Stephen Tulloch, Lions LB: I’ve been a big fan of Tulloch for a few years. He’s one of the most underrated, versatile inside linebackers in football and he’s shown he can perform on multiple teams.

16. Brandon Lloyd, Rams WR: He’s not a true No. 1 receiver. He wouldn’t have to be if he lands in New England.

17. Marques Colston, Saints WR: The heart of a champion with the knees of a 40-year-old. I’d worry about Colston away from Drew Brees. (UPDATE: Re-signed with Saints on five-year contract.)

18. Curtis Lofton, Falcons LB: A sure tackler with leadership ability, but not a huge difference maker for what he’ll cost.

19. Jared Gaither, Chargers T: Extremely talented left tackle that hasn’t stayed healthy or reliable for very long. Perhaps the best boom or bust free agent out there.

Taking a shot

Some of these guys will cost too much for the risk.

20. Jason Jones, Titans DL: He’s the right age (26) and he’s flashed at various points in his career. He could be a great pickup in the right system.

21. LaRon Landry, Redskins S: All sorts of talent, but Landry is undisciplined and injury prone.

22.Mario Manningham, Giants WR: I almost wrote “Bucs WR” that connection has been mentioned so often. Manningham has a lot of talent but makes way too many mental errors.